Triple Overtime Thriller at Copper Hills

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what turned into a long, hard-fought night in West Jordan, Copper Hills ultimately found a way to come away with the win. The game was shaped by momentum swings, late-game execution, and which team could maintain composure under pressure, with several key factors influencing the outcome from start to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarter 1</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='922382' first='Ella' last='Creer'] set the tone early for the Grizzlies, accounting for 10 of their 15 first-quarter points. That opening surge established her presence from the opening tip, and she remained a constant factor from the first possession to the final shot of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Mountain Ridge's Presence</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountain Ridge created separation by turning up the intensity in the frontcourt, applying relentless pressure that led to a string of turnovers and live-ball steals. [player_tooltip player_id='866703' first='Jada' last='Jangard'] set the tone in the press, consistently disrupting ball handlers and forcing rushed decisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, [player_tooltip player_id='796847' first='Jessica' last='Maynard'] stayed committed to attacking the paint, but what stood out most was the Sentinels' ability to drive with purpose and make the right read. Time and again, penetration drew help before the ball was dumped to the low post for high-percentage looks. That balance between pressure defense and smart interior play allowed Mountain Ridge to climb back into the game when it mattered most. [player_tooltip player_id='805788' first='Kaylee' last='Montgomery'] was the beneficiary of many of these from her quick cuts to the basket, while others were dealing with pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarter 4</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Copper Hills held a 10-point lead with 3:30 remaining, but as has happened at times this season, rushed decisions and careless passes allowed the margin to shrink. Mountain Ridge ramped up the pressure, using defensive intensity and timely scoring to claw back and force additional opportunities once regulation ended.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1248994' first='Makayla' last='Staker'] was a consistent interior presence for Copper Hills all night, giving them a reliable target inside where she finished through contact and controlled the glass. While fourth quarters have been a challenge for the Grizzlies at times this year, they managed to regroup late, slow the game down, and regain some composure heading into the extra periods—an adjustment that ultimately kept them in position to compete through overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OT - 3 Times</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each overtime period was marked by heavy whistles on both ends, turning the game into a free-throw battle. With both teams already in foul trouble entering the extra sessions, managing composure and execution at the line became the difference between winning and losing. [player_tooltip player_id='922382' first='Ella' last='Creer'] stayed steady throughout the chaos, never letting frustration affect her play. In the final moments, it was her calm, clutch free throws that ultimately put the game out of reach, sealing the win for the Grizzlies and fending off the Sentinels' last-second push.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Copper Hills Biggest Contributors: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='922382' first='Ella' last='Creer'] - 16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1248994' first='Makayla' last='Staker'] - 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1238745' first='Elise' last='Southworth'] - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796851' first='Sela' last='Ama'] - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>Mountain Ridge Biggest Contributors: </strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='805788' first='Kaylee' last='Montgomery'] - 23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796847' first='Jessica' last='Maynard'] - 14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='866703' first='Jada' last='Jangard'] - 10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->